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International Premiere for
Philip Godfrey's Ode to Living Things
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1 November 1998
The superb surroundings of Symphony Hall
in Birmingham saw the English Schools' Orchestra and Choir give the very
first performance of Ode to Living Things, a new work by the
Society's accompanist, Philip Godfrey, under the baton of Robert Pepper.
Ode to Living Things was written following a request by Robert
Pepper for a fun choral/orchestral piece with an English feel. It is a
light-hearted hymn to life, with an eclectic text drawing on the work of
six writers. (Dolphins was inspired by the writings of Herman
Melville, author of Moby Dick). Beginning with the humorous Ode
to the Amoeba, the piece focuses on several species, including humans,
and concludes with e. e. cummings 'thanksgiving for all natural
things".
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Review from the Birmingham Post, Monday 3 November 1998:
Philip studied music at Pembroke
College, Cambridge, where he was an organ scholar. Here his first
stage musical as well as several shows for the Footlights
were performed. Now a freelance musician based in London he combines
composing with teaching, performing (piano and organ) and
conducting. He has worked extensively in West End musicals,
including Into the Woods and Sunset Boulevard. His
choral music, often written for young people, is becoming
increasingly popular, with recent performances by New London
Children's Choir, National Youth Music Theatre and London Choral
Society, as well as many schools around England. Philip also
composes instrumental and television music. He is currently working
on a new musical.
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